The Heart Forger (The Bone Witch #2)(52)

Empress Alyx cocked her head to one side. “Damage? It is the duke who has caused this turmoil, not you, child. You are not to blame.”

“But…” Except I had. I had compromised Prince Kance. And I’d compelled Kalen, forced him to leave…

And broke his trust.

I stood still, realization breaking through. Kalen might not have wanted to be my friend, but he had trusted me in spite of it. He would not have trained me if he hadn’t. He would not have talked to me about his father and of his childhood or shared his fears. And it was the thought of losing that trust that had frightened me. I could have borne his criticisms and his hostility but not this. Knowing that I had made me want to cry.

Empress Alyx continued on, following her own train of thought as I stood there, blinking rapidly and trying not to look in Kalen’s direction. “Your exile won’t stop the duke. The best option, I think, would be to clear all your names. And for that, we’ll have to cure the prince. Perhaps the Faceless’s book will be of some use.” She grinned at our astonished expressions. “Althy has kept me abreast of developments. And of course, regarding matters of the heart, a heartforger is required. Your master is missing, Khalad, which makes you the next best choice.”

Khalad startled. “He’s missing?”

“We do our best to keep tabs on the both of you, even when you wander off to other kingdoms. You and your master are rarer than Dark asha. My spies lost sight of the Heartforger after he entered Santiang.”

“Then he might know something about Prince Kance’s illness, which is similar to the Daanorian princess’s,” Councilor Ludvig said, finally speaking up, having been silent through most of the discussion. “Locating him is our priority. Fortunately, the Daanorian emperor is notoriously fond of asha, even despite his occasional animosity. A contingent of asha on a diplomatic mission might be viewed with greater favor.”

“Why can’t we sneak into Daanoris instead of announcing ourselves to the emperor and his officials?” Kalen interrupted. I still couldn’t look at him.

“None of us look Daanorian. It’s only been some years since Daanoris opened its borders to the rest of the kingdoms, and we would stick out.”

“We can wear disguises.”

“Not all the time and not if the princess is with you.”

“I am going,” Inessa said stubbornly.

“Do you think that’s the best option, milord?” I asked Councilor Ludvig.

“We have little choice. Tresea and my own Istera are too far away, Drycht cares little for the world outside its borders, and Arhen-Kosho has historically sided with Odalia. The Yadosha city-states might intervene but only if the cause threatens their own territories. War must be averted. Diplomacy should incur the least amount of casualties.”

The empress clapped her hands. “Tea, Fox, and Kalen, you are to accompany Khalad to Daanoris and reestablish contact with the old Heartforger. Tea, bring four or five other asha along. The emperor is enamored of dragons and, as a result, of azi. Perhaps we can introduce you as its keeper.”

“The elders won’t like that.”

“The elders don’t know. Althy and I took great pains to keep your new bond with the azi a secret. Hiding a book is easier to defend than hiding an azi, which I’m sure you would have told us sooner or later.”

“I don’t think I would have,” I admitted quietly, choosing honesty for once rather than more subterfuge.

Empress Alyx patted my arm. “I’m not accusing you of anything. You’re in a position no one else has been in, and that requires making a lot of hard choices.”

“I’m going with them,” the princess said sharply.

“No.” I didn’t think Fox wanted to voice that thought aloud, but it was too late.

Princess Inessa spun to face him.

“And why not?”

“You’re useless,” he told her bluntly. “You can’t fight, you can’t defend yourself, and you can’t protect Prince Kance’s heartsglass.”

“Thank you for reminding me how thoroughly irrelevant I am to your objectives,” the princess snapped, “but Emperor Shifang has been trying to court me for the better part of three years. Daanoris is a suspicious nation. My presence ensures he will welcome us.”

“He’s right, Inessa.” Her mother shook her head. “It’s too dangerous.”

“I’m engaged to Kance, aren’t I?” The princess lifted her chin. “I promised to protect his heartsglass with my life if I have to. You might have forced me into the arrangement, but I do not go back on my word. Or do you break promises once they becomes inconvenient for you?”

The empress glared at her. “We shall talk about this later, Inessa.”

“And what if we can’t find him?” Kalen asked.

“There is one other Heartforger in the room.”

Khalad paled. “But I’m not skilled enough.”

The empress wagged a finger at him. “Old Narel has never been one to heap praise on a subordinate. But he would have released you from his apprenticeship long ago if he didn’t think you a worthy successor. He’s rejected half a dozen candidates before taking you in and twice more since then.”

Khalad looked shocked.

“We must be prepared for all eventualities, Khalad, whether you feel ready or not. A time may come when you shall need to prove your master right.” Empress Alyx turned to me. “I will have your hua and possessions transferred here within the day. My servants shall take you to your rooms to recuperate in the meantime. We’ll talk more about Daanoris later.”